Sear-lock for breech-loading guns



A. S. BALDWIN. SEAR LOCK FOR BREECH LOADING GUNS. APPLICATION FILED news. 1911.

WITNESS:

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

VENTOR.

BY WW ATTORNEYS.

ARTHUR S. BALDWIN, OF BALTILIORE, MARYLAND.

SEAR-LOCK FOR BREECI-I-LOADINGGUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

Application filed December 19, 1917. Serial No. 207,896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR S. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sear-Locks for Breech-Loading Guns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved sear lock for breech-loading guns and has for its object to provide improved means for looking the sear in positionto prevent accidental withdrawal from the breech and to utilize the locking means to return the sear to firing position. v

A further object is to provide improved sear-locking meansthat will enable the sear to'be placed inand removed from the breech without the aid of tools. I

With these objects in view, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich,

Figure 1, shows the improved'device in top plan and in position in the breech end of the gun,the sear being-shown in the firing position.

Fig. 2, illustrates the same with the parts in the normal position.

Fig. 3, shows the same in edge View looking at thev device in Fig. 2 from right to left hand, and

Fig. 4, shows a cross-sectional detail through the breech end of the gun, the sear and locking plate.

Referring to the drawing, 5, designates the upper side of the breech end of'a gun and 6, a chamfered or beveled edge at one side thereof. A recess 7, is provided in the upper side of the breech and has one side thereof opening at the chamfered or beveled edge. Near the inner or closed end of this recess there is avertical opening extending down into the breech end of the gun into which the sear shank or stem 8, extends to coact with a cocking lever, which it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate.

The sear lever 9, is rigid on the outer end of the shank 8, and seats in said recess 7, so as to be preferably flush with the top surface 5, of the breech end of the gun. The free end 10, of the sear lever projects from the open end of the recess and extends over and beyond the chamfered edge 6, and this projecting end of the sear lever is provided with an eye 11, in which a lanyard may be attached for operating the same.

It is to be understood that the sear lever has a swinging or oscillating movement and imparts a like movement, or partial rotation to the shank 8, which in'turn causes an operation of the cooking lever.

The recess 7, in the breech end of the gun has a straight wall 12, at one side which forms a stop shoulder for the sear lever when the latter is in one position, and the opposite wall 13, of the recess is inclined or extends at an angle with respect to the wall 12, so that the recess is wider at the outer open side than at the inner closed side.

The inclined wall 13 of the recess has an undercut or groove 1 1 therein, which groove extends laterally from the open side of the recess and toward the inner closed end of the recess. This groove 14, is slightly elevated from the bottom of the recess, although this is not essential.

The sear lever 9, has a groove or slot 15,

extending from the edge 16, thereof and between its upper and lower surfaces,the-

groove or slot extending lengthwise of the sear lever between the pivoted and free ends thereof whereby to form a longitudinal chamber orrecess between the upper and lower surfaces. 7

A pawl or looking plate 17, is carried by the sear lever and is of a thickness, in a vertical direction, to enter the groove, slot or chamber 15, and the outer end 18, of this plate is pivoted at 19, to the sear lever so that its inner end 20,- may swing laterally or horizontally with respect to the edge 16, of said lever. The position of this locking plate is such with respect to the upper end and lower surfaces of the sear lever, that its outer projecting edge 21, will be me horizontal plane that registers with the groove 14, in the inclined wall 13, of the breech recess so that the edge 21, of the locking plate may extend from the sear lever, across the recess and project into the groove 14 in the recess wall.

In order to keep the locking plate edge 21, in said groove 14, irrespective of the swinging movement of the sear lever, toward and from said groove, I provide the lever with a circular -cavity 22, also between the upper and lower surfaces, and I seat a coiled spring 23, in said cavity so that its free end may press against the inner vertical edge 24, of the locking plate and constantly press the free end of said plate away from the lever and keep its opposite edge 21, entered in the groove 14.

From the foregoing explanation it will be understood that the locking plate on the sear, acts as a spring-bolt by entering the groove 14, to prevent lifting of the sear and its shank vertically from the recess 7, and the gun breech, but said plate will yield as the sear lever is swung in a direction toward the wall 13, of the recess.

It will also be seen that the springpressed plate 17 serves to return the sear lever and move it back to the stop wall 12, of the recess.

To remove the sear lever and its shank it is only necessary to grasp the lever and plate 17 between the thumb and fingers while the lever is against the wall 12, then press the plate 17, into the lever slot or recess 15, by compressing the spring 23, and this movement will withdraw the edge 21, of the locking plate from the groove 14, whereupon the sear lever and its shank may be slightly oscillated and lifted out.

It is believed to be clear that my improvement includes in its organization a sear lever that oscillates with respect to the breech structure and a locking means which in effect laps the sear and breech structure so as to permit the sear to oscillate but in a way to prevent movement of the sear in a direction at a right angle to or away from the breech structure.

Having described my invention what I claim is 1. The combination with a breech structure having a recess, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess; a locking plate in said recess at one side of the sear lever and lapping both the lever and the breech structure and means for yieldingly pressing the locking plate in locking engagement.

2. The combination with a breech structure, having a recess with a locking groove at one side thereof, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess, and a yielding locking device engaging the sear lever and also entering said locking groove.

3. The combination with a breech structure having a recess with a locking groove at one side thereof, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess, and a yielding locking device carried by the sear lever and entering said groove to lock the sear lever in place.

l. The combination with a breech structure, having a recess with a locking groove therein, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess, and a spring actuated plate carried by the sear lever and projecting across the recess into said groove.

5. The combination with a breech structure, having a recess with a locking groove therein, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess; a plate pivotally attached to the sear lever and projecting across the recess into said groove and means for yieldingly pressing the lever and plate in opposite directions.

6. The combination with a breech structure, having a recess therein with a groove in the wall at one side of the said recess, a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess; a locking plate pivoted to said sear lever and projecting into the recess said plate also entering the groove in said recess and a spring interposed between the locking plate and the lever for pressing the two in opposite directions.

7. The combination with a breech structure, having a recess with a groove in one side wall of the latter, of a sear lever mounted to oscillate in said recess; said sear lever having a groove in one edge; a locking plate having its opposite edges in said two grooves and means for yieldingly pressing the locking plate and sear lever in opposite direc tions.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. ARTHUR S. BALDWIN.

Witnesses:

J. H. HOFMANN, FRANCIS S. STIERTZ. 

